University fairs and exhibitions can be intimidating. A hall or convention centre full of teenagers, teachers, and unfamiliar faces... Your students will feel unsettled if they don't know what to expect.
Talking to students in advance about their upcoming university fair is vital. It will give them the confidence to approach university stands with intent, rather than simply grabbing a prospectus and running, or not knowing what to say.
This article offers advice to help you prepare your students for the university fairs and exhibitions ahead.
Firstly, encourage your students to think about their next
steps before attending a university fair. They don't
need to have an exact picture of what or where they
want to study, but a general idea will give them a starting point.
Advise your students to produce a shortlist of
universities based on some online research. This will help them prioritise their time at the fair. They could even mark the universities on their shortlist that are a must to speak to on the day.
Suggest that your students prepare questions in advance of the fair. All questions are welcome. It's likely that we have been asked the
same questions hundreds of times before, so we'll be in a good place to answer them.
Equally, remind your students to ask questions themselves, and not just
rely on a friend to be the designated university
questioner. The fair is a fantastic way to
build independence and ask questions
that are important to them, so they should lead the conversation themselves.
Also, feel free to provide your students
with a few conversation starters to offer their inspiration. These could be topics such as courses, entry requirements, accommodation, facilities,
location, extra opportunities, open days, and
whatever else that might interest them!
Share a map of the fair with your students in advance, along with some images of previous events. This will
help them gain familiarity with the venue. It will allow them to
prepare their route throughout the fair, and find the location for any scheduled
talks. Universities are labelled alphabetically, which makes planning a whole lot easier!
Most universities provide a physical prospectus, whilst a few offer a
digital prospectus. Either way, it is best
to be prepared with a strong bag and wear
comfortable shoes. Teachers, wear your
Fitbits!
University staff will ask your students if they
would like to have their individual QR code
scanned. This will allow them to receive communications from the university. Some students find it beneficial to
temporarily set their QR code as their phone ‘lock screen’
or have it easily accessible.
Reassure your students: providing their QR
code doesn't commit them to studying at that
university, nor will they be bombarded with
emails. Also, they can unsubscribe if they choose.
Most importantly, remind your
students to enjoy every minute. The fair will help them take one step
closer to their future. And remember, universities want to hear from yourselves as teachers and advisors, so don't forget
to come and introduce yourself!
After you step back on the coach, there will
be lots of worn-out students (and teachers).
Even so, this is a good time to ask your students to make
notes about the fair, and write down the universities that
stood out. Encourage your students to continue the conversation with yourself, their friends, and their preferred universities.
Revisit the topic of the fair at your next available
opportunity. This might be a chance to
explore what action they have taken since the event.
You might even notice a few of your students are
inspired to start their personal statements early!
Finally, you might wish to direct your students to episode 12 of The Uni Guide Podcast. This is an entire episode about attending university fairs, packed with advice to help your students make the most of these events.
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